Hi Lurker - I ve had a short rest from the 111 while a few domestic issues are sorted. It seems as one approaches a more 'mature' age, there are plenty of little bodily distractions to keep me away from modelling. Eyesight is a major one for me. after three major builds in the last year or so, I've had to slow a little........
The Heinkel took a back seat to another commissioned project that has been an Albatros around my neck for a while so am getting that out of the way. I'll never build a balsa-and-ply kit for someone else again - even a frend Absolutely no way one can charge enough for the hours it took.

I'm still waiting on some 111 parts from HK - an ESC and a motor to replace one I stole from another model. I may do a basic finish, see if it flies then do the prettying up.

I'll never build a balsa-and-ply kit for someone else again - even a friend Absolutely no way one can charge enough for the hours it took.

I know what you mean Pat. I once built a Royal DC-3 kit for commission, but I think I wound up working for about $0.02 an hour, and hated every minute of it. On the other hand, a couple of years ago I built a Sig Ninja for a buddy for nothing. Because he is a good friend, it was a pleasure, and I still get a big kick out of watching him fly it. I feel like a proud Papa, then!

It is funny how as soon as a $$value gets put on a hobby it can kill the enjoyment and turn it into a chore! Glad you have that monkey off your back Pat, that little ultimate or what ever it was seems to have been lurking in the background for years hope the physical ailments are on the mend, this joint gets dull without the daily instalments from the workshop of You and your elves!

Sadly Craig - idea of $$ is OK in terms of financing my next major build (post or alongside the 111) but as Frank mentioned, $/hour or work is laughable. Never again!
The Ultimate isn't exactly 'little' - even at only 54" span, it is still a biggish beast. The silver finish is the client's wish

Pat

PS - the 'physical ailments' are non-fixable glaucoma - I just need to get my bucket list done while I can still see well enough.......

Thanks Fuzz
Not much progress over the last few weeks so I thought I'd post something - even if somewhat trivial!
The tail parts have been permenantly fixed to the fuselage, the wing fillets finished and everything given some small fillets of lightweight filler to tidy it up.

After a thorough sanding/filling/sanding, the whole fuselage got a coat of thinned dope/talcum powder mix and sanded again. Most of the major blemishes have now been filled and tomorrow I'll start doping on a layer of lightweight silkspan prior to a last dope coat and some acrylic undercoat.

...and that's it really. With the commissioned Ultimate finished, I can get on with what I enjoy - building (and planning the inevitable 'what's next')

Well, on the fuselage anyway!
The fuselage had been dope/talc filled and sanded and then 000 grade silkspan was doped into place - first time I've done that over a complex shape - another skill to perfect. This attempt was not perfect but after a few minor bouts of bad language, I was happey enough to add another couple of thin dope coats and lots of sanding.
I've recieved all sorts of advice on the tissue/dope process from modelling mates and some say "apply the tissue damp, pull it into place and dope it while still moist" others say to apply it dry. I did it dry but would like an 'old timer's' opinion

Anyway when I was happy, the first coats of spray putty were applied - very sparingly and then mostly sanded off. Since the primer is almost the colour I want on the undersides, I may give it another light coat as a finish. Some clear acrylic should seal it OK (maybe).